It’s almost time for 4th of July celebrations, and this means fireworks, barbecuing, journeys to the lake, and enjoying the company of your friends and family. Independence Day is always a holiday to look forward to, but make sure you’re taking steps to stay safe during your celebrations.
Here are a few easy 4th of July safety tips to make sure your holiday festivities are safe for the whole family.
Grilling Safety Tips
When thinking about the Fourth of July, you can almost smell the burgers and hot dogs browning on the grill. Grilling out is a fabulous way to make food while hanging out on the porch with your loved ones. But, before you pull out the grill, make sure you refresh your memory with a few important grilling safety tips.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions when lighting the fire.
Make sure you’re always using propane/charcoal grills outside to avoid house fires.
Set your grill at least 12 feet away from your house, garage or other buildings.
Keep your grill clean! Oil and fat buildup on the rack or the trays below the grill can quickly catch fire if not maintained.
After cooking on a gas grill, make sure you entirely close the propane valve.
Keep pets and children away from the hot grill.
Firework Safety Tips
Fireworks on the 4th of July are a beautiful long-standing tradition that many people look forward to all year. While they may be pleasant to look at, fireworks can also be dangerous if you don’t know how to use them correctly. Follow these firework 4th of July safety tips before buying or using consumer fireworks.
Make sure it is legal to use fireworks in your neighborhood.
Never allow children to light fireworks/sparklers without proper adult supervision.
Have a good amount of water on hand in case of an accidental fire.
Wear proper safety equipment when setting off fireworks at home.
Only use fireworks and sparklers outdoors.
Don’t attempt to relight a firework that did not ignite properly.
Don’t dismantle fireworks or try to make your own fireworks.
Correctly dispose of fireworks by soaking them down and placing them in a metal trash container after use.
Avoid allowing pets around firework displays.
Swimming Safety Tips
As the weather heats up, the trips to the pool, the lake, and the beach increase too! While swimming is a great way to keep cool and have fun, you should also know basic water safety to keep everyone safe as you splash around.
Swim with a friend. Swimming alone can be risky if something happens to you while you’re in the water.
Never leave children or inexperienced swimmers unattended in the water.
If you’re on a boat, make sure you every person has their own personal life jacket.
Don’t dive headfirst into a river, swimming pool, lake, ocean or other bodies of water.
Stay out of dirty or murky waters.
If you go to the beach or public pool, swim in areas supervised by lifeguards.
Check the weather forecast, and be on the lookout for any dangerous weather conditions.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident it is essential to contact a dedicated New Jersey personal injury law firm, like Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman. Call for your free consultation and let us fight for you.